Yesaya 5:4

5:4 What more can I do for my vineyard

beyond what I have already done?

When I waited for it to produce edible grapes,

why did it produce sour ones instead?

Yeremia 36:3

36:3 Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about all the disaster I intend to bring on them, they will all stop doing the evil things they have been doing. ¹  If they do, I will forgive their sins and the wicked things they have done.” ² 

Zefanya 3:7

3:7 I thought, ³  ‘Certainly you will respect ⁴  me!

Now you will accept correction!’

If she had done so, her home ⁵  would not be destroyed ⁶ 

by all the punishments I have threatened. ⁷ 

But they eagerly sinned

in everything they did. ⁸ 

¹ tn Heb “will turn each one from his wicked way.”

² tn Heb “their iniquity and their sin.”

sn The offer of withdrawal of punishment for sin is consistent with the principles of Jer 18:7-8 and the temple sermon delivered early in the reign of this king (cf. 26:1-3; 7:5-7).

³ tn Heb “said.”

⁴ tn Or “fear.” The second person verb form (“you will respect”) is feminine singular, indicating that personified Jerusalem is addressed.

sn God’s judgment of the nations (v. 6) was an object lesson for Israel’s benefit.

⁵ tn Or “dwelling place.”

⁶ tn Heb “cut off.”

⁷ tn Heb “all which I have punished her.” The precise meaning of this statement and its relationship to what precedes are unclear.

⁸ tn Heb “But they got up early, they made corrupt all their actions.” The phrase “they got up early” probably refers to their eagerness to engage in sinful activities.